Getting rid of bad breath: Chepstow dentists advise on how best to do it

January 13, 2011

Having bad breath can make social situations very awkward indeed. Hiding your mouth so that your peers or colleagues don’t smell your breath is something that is surely to be avoided. Thankfully bad breath does not just have to be tolerated, there are simple things you can do to combat it, allowing you to interact freely without having to worry about the smell from your mouth.

Halitosis is the clinical name for bad breath and it is caused by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria might be allowed to thrive because you are not taking care of your mouth adequately. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day for about three minutes and flossing too should take care of things, but bad breath bacteria can also thrive on your tongue. As such you might want to brush your tongue too. Just be careful to do so gently as tongues are sensitive organs and you don’t want to damage yours.

Chewing gum can be a good way of combatting bad breath. The flavour of the gum will make sure that when you speak and breath there will be pleasant smell. Additionally, the process of chewing actually increases saliva, which helps to guard against plaque.

Bad breath might be a sign that there is an underlying condition in your mouth. Gum disease can manifest itself with bad breath. It is always worth informing your dentist about bad breath so that he or she can examine your mouth. You might be advised to tighten up your brushing and flossing routine or use a mouth wash specially designed to beat bad breath. If you need any further advice, make an appointment to see your Chepstow dentist.